Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission's decision to renew the Class IB nuclear fuel facility licence held by Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc. (CFM) for its facility located in the Municipality of Port Hope, Ontario. The Commission renewed the licence for a period of 20 years.
CFM is authorized to operate the facility to produce uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel pellets and nuclear fuel bundles. The CFM facility has been in operation since the late 1950s, and its manufacturing process involves both uranium fuel pellet manufacturing and fuel bundle assembly. Natural UO2 powder is pressed into pellets, fitted into zirconium tubes and then assembled into CANDU reactor fuel bundles. The CFM facility is located on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Mississauga, Haudenosaunee, Anishinabek Nation, and the territory covered by the Williams Treaties First Nations.
This decision follows a public hearing held on November 23, 2022, in Cobourg, Ontario. As part of the licence renewal, the Commission authorizes the increased annual production limit to 1,650 tonnes of uranium, as UO2 pellets. The renewed licence will be valid from March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2043, with CFM to provide the Commission with a comprehensive midterm update on the conduct of its licensed activities and compliance with requirements no later than 2033.
In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from CFM, CNSC staff, and 42 intervenors. After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that CFM is qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licence will authorize. It also concluded that CFM will continue to make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, and the health and safety of persons.
The CNSC made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program, and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. A funding review committee, independent of the CNSC, reviewed the funding applications received and made recommendations on the allocation of funds. Based on the committee's recommendations, the CNSC awarded up to approximately $58,000 to 5 applicants.
